Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer

Choosing a correct treatment option for treating prostate cancer is a bit difficult now a days because of there are variety of treatment options now. The treatment option depends on size of the tumor, location of the tumor that is whether it is localized to the gland or widespread. Other factors that also play role in deciding the correct prostate cancer treatment option are age, stage of the cancer and general health of the individual. Sometimes the result of PSA tests help in deciding the treatment option. Here we are going to see stage-wise prostate cancer treatment options.

Prostate Cancer Treatment Options for Stage 1

Stage 1 prostate cancers are small and generally grow very slow. They may never cause any symptoms or other health problems. Treatment options for stage 1 prostate cancer may include the following:

• Watchful waiting
• External radiation treatment
• Pellet implantation treatment (Internal radiation treatment)
• Radical prostatectomy alone
• Radical prostatectomy in combination with radiation treatment

Prostate Cancer Treatment Options for Stage 2

Stage 2 prostate cancers are more advanced than stage 1 cancers and are more likely to spread beyond the prostate gland and cause some symptoms. Treatment options for stage 2 prostate cancer may include the following:

• Watchful waiting
• External radiation treatment
• Pellet implantation treatment (Internal radiation treatment) alone
• Pellet implantation treatment in combination with external beam radiation treatment
• High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Treatment
• Cyrotherapy (Freezing treatment)
• Radical prostatectomy alone
• Radical prostatectomy in combination with radiation treatment

Prostate Cancer Treatment Options for Stage 3

Stage 3 prostate cancers spread beyond the prostate gland but don't reach the lymph nodes, rectum, bladder or distant organs like bones. Treatment options for stage 3 prostate cancer may include the following:

• Watchful waiting
• External beam radiation treatment alone
• External beam radiation treatment in combination with hormone treatment
• Hormone treatment
• Radical prostatectomy with or without radiation treatment after surgery
• Radiation treatment, hormone treatment, or transurethral resection of the prostate as palliative treatment to relieve symptoms caused by the cancer

Prostate Cancer Treatment Options for Stage 4

Stage 4 prostate cancers spread to the lymph nodes, rectum, bladder or distant organs like bones. Treatment options for stage 4 prostate cancer may include the following:

• Watchful waiting
• External radiation treatment with or without hormone treatment
• Radical prostatectomy
• Radiation treatment or transurethral resection of the prostate as palliative treatment to relieve symptoms caused by the cancer
• Chemotherapy